Resurrection and Life – John 11:25

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

John 11:25 (NIV)

Jesus had heard His friend Lazarus was sick; he waited two days before heading to Bethany to visit him. When He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days.
Martha, Lazarus’s sister, went out to meet Jesus and said, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” For she had faith and knew Jesus could have healed her brother. Jesus replies to her in John 11:25.

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

In verse 26, Jesus continues.

26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Then He asks Martha, do you believe this?

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

When Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life, he was explaining that He was the source of both, clarifying His divine nature. Jesus went to the tomb and called, “Lazarus, come out.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. – John 11:40-44 (NIV)

Lazarus walked out of the grave.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life, a promise of eternal life for believers. Faith in Jesus offers us comfort and hope for the future. Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved; death is not final but a gateway to eternal life.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Through your love for us, you gave us Your only Son, Jesus. He is the resurrection and the life, our hope and salvation. As a poppy grows blooming in the sunlight, let us grow in faith and bloom in Your Son’s light. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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New Birth – Titus 3:5

4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. Titus 3:4-5 (CEV)

We are saved by God’s mercy and compassion. Salvation is a gift of grace from God to all who believe in Jesus, His son. Jesus died on the cross, paying the price for our sins. When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are given eternal life.

Salvation comes only from God; we can’t achieve it through our works or good deeds. He gives us a new life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The only condition for salvation is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. Titus 3:5 b (CEV)

When we accept Jesus Christ, our sins – are washed away —a washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Through the washing of regeneration, we are made new, a spiritual cleaning, a new birth, born again. Anyone who belongs to Jesus Christ is a new person; the old life is gone.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

The washing of our sins is an internal cleansing of the soul by the Holy Spirit. Resulting in a new birth in Jesus Christ, bringing a new life and living hope.

3-8 It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, easy marks for sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3-5 (MSG)

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Our Holy Loving Father, we are in awe of Your goodness, love, and grace. You love us so much that You gave your one and only Son, so whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. We are saved by Your mercy and grace, giving us hope and a new birth. Like water washes the iris flowers, let us believe in Jesus, be washed by the Holy Spirit, and be reborn. Amen

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The Word – Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah contrasts the temporary nature of flowers and grass to the enduring promise of God’s word.
Earlier in verse 6, Isaiah compares people to being like grass and their love and faithfulness being as fragile as a wildflower. Which withers and falls when the wind sent from the Lord blows on it.

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:6b-8 (NIV)

Permanence and stability are found in the eternal word of God, which endures forever. For God is steadfast, His promises never fail; they last forever. When we trust in God’s word and live in obedience, His word will sustain us for now and forever. The word of God stands firm; it endures forever.

“These people are nothing but grass,
    their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,
    if God so much as puffs on them.
    Aren’t these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace and love for us. Thank you for Your word and Jesus, The Word. Teach us to read Your word and follow Jesus. May Your word guide and direct us. Your word stands firm and forever, giving us hope. Though we are fragile, like dandelions and wildflowers, let us be strong and secure in our faith. Amen

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Faith to Faith – Romans 1:17

For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” Romans 1:17 (NET)

The gospel tells of God’s “good news”; everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is saved and gets a new life. Faith starts with belief in Jesus Christ, realizing He died for our sins; He is our Lord and Saviour.
Faith spurs spiritual growth and transformation. The righteous will live by faith, an ongoing process of growing spiritually and learning to trust God. It is a continual journey that shapes our thoughts, priorities, and actions. From faith to faith, we grow spiritually, learning to trust God by having faith in His promises and righteousness – by starting in faith and ending in faith.

It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.” Romans 1:17 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace while we were still sinners. Help us grow in spirit and faith. Guide us, transform us to be more Christ-like. Like a rose blooms from bud to flower, let us grow from faith to faith. Amen

All Things – John 3:35

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. – John 3:35 (ESV)

God (the Father) has an eternal extravagant love for His Son, Jesus. Jesus was born of Mary but came as a divine messenger from heaven. He is a teacher, healer, and miracle worker. He is our Saviour; He died for our sins.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are saved and have eternal life. Jesus is God; the Trinity is composed of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. A person must accept Jesus for salvation; He is the one and only way to heaven and to God the Father.

God the Father has given and entrusted all things into Jesus’ hands. He has the full authority of the Father over all things.

34-36 “The One that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that”. John 3:34-36 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and grace. For You so loved us that You gave us Your only Son, Jesus. We are saved and blessed for He died for our sins, and we realize You have placed all things in His hand. Like the camellia flowers glow and shine against winter skies, let us glow with love and shine with Your light. Amen

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Reverence and Awe – Hebrews 12:28

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28 -29 (ESV)

The kingdom that cannot be shaken is God’s eternal kingdom. God’s kingdom is given to us when we believe in Jesus. We need to place our hope and trust in His kingdom, not worldly things. This requires us to let go of the things of this world that impede us and fix our eyes on Jesus.

God loves us, forgives us, and guides us. We, in turn, need to show gratitude and reverence and be thankful for all God has done for us. Worship Him with reverence and awe, opening our hearts and lives to Him. Praising God by lifting our voices in gratitude and thanksgiving while living in a way that pleases and glorifies Him.

Verse 29 explains God’s wrath is on those who defy him; he is a consuming fire. His fire burns away impurities, refines, and purifies until all is clean.

28-29 Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire! Hebrews 12:28-29 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your many blessings. We are grateful for Your grace and for sharing Your unshakable kingdom. We praise and worship You with reverence and awe. Teach us to store our treasures in heaven rather than in earthly things. Like the beautiful hollyhock flowers are open wide to the sun, let us open our hearts to You and follow Your son, Jesus. Amen

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Unseen yet Eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Paul refuses to let persecution and suffering for his faith make him lose heart, for his eyes were fixed on the great hope of Jesus Christ. Temporary suffering will pass, leading us to eternal glory – a glory, much greater than our current difficulties.

How do we go forward through times of trouble and not lose heart? By fixing our eyes on future glory, keeping our gaze fixed on what is unseen, the glory of the spiritual world, which is eternal and will never end. By going forward in faith.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Having faith in the fulfillment of God’s promise that there is life beyond the grave. Focusing on what is unseen yet eternal – heaven’s glory.

16-18 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving us and sending your Son to save us from our sins. Teach us not to lose heart during times of suffering and trouble. Help us grow in faith and not give up but instead fix our eyes on what is unseen but eternal. As the three vinca blossoms are gathered together, let us gather in faith, with thanksgiving for our triune God. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Heavenly Citizenship – Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, – Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

As Christians, though we live on earth, our ultimate home is heaven; we have a heavenly citizenship. Things on earth are temporary, so we should focus on what pleases God rather than earthly concerns.

Our perspective should glorify God’s kingdom, while with anticipation and hope, we eagerly await Christ’s return. The joyful expectation of Christ’s return should shape our attitudes and actions.

We have a heavenly citizenship when we believe in Jesus; heaven is our future home.

20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. –

Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, we eagerly await Your return. Teach us to listen to You and follow You. Let our focus be on our ultimate home, Heaven, rather than on things of this world. We are thankful for our heavenly citizenship. As the open flower of the lily reaches toward the sun, let us be openhearted and reach toward You, Jesus, son of God. Amen

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Greater than All – John 10:29

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:29 (NIV)

Great is our God! How great is our God? He is greater than all! He has incomparable, unmatched power. He created heaven and the earth, and He is loving, merciful, and forgiving. He is great, greater than all; all creatures, angels, and men.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. – Psalm 145:3 (NIV)

By God’s authority, the ones who know Jesus’ voice (His sheep) are given to His Son, Jesus. God has placed us (Jesus’ sheep) under Jesus’ care. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross saved his followers, giving believers eternal life.

God is greater than all and more powerful. No one can snatch believers away from Him.

My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.” John 10: 27-30 (MSG)

No one can snatch believers away from Jesus, for Jesus and His father God are one, one in heart and mind. ⁂

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, You are great greater than all. We thank You for Your grace in sending Your Son to save us sinners. We are in awe of Your power and strength that keeps us safe in Your hands. Like the flowers of the Viburnum are opened and gathered together, let us be open to Your love and gathered safely in Your mighty hands. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

I am taking a short break from writing – back in a couple weeks. 🌺

His Seal – John 6:27

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.
John 6:27 (NKJV)

On the day before this passage, Jesus had taken five loaves and two small fish and fed thousands. People were seeking Jesus, not for spiritual needs but looking for free food and additional supernatural occurrences. Their motivation for pursuing Him was wrong.

Jesus encourages us to seek spiritual fulfillment rather than striving for physical and temporary objects. Seek spiritual nourishment, for we need more than food to thrive. As the Message version of the Bible says, “Work for food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides.”

28Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”29Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”The Son of Man, Jesus, Has God’s seal on Him, God’s seal of approval. Jesus, His Son gives believers in Him the bread of eternal life.
John 6:28-29 (NKJV)

Jesus bore the seal of God, His seal of divine approval. God’s seal of truth is on what Jesus is saying. To His believers, Jesus, gives the bread of eternal life.

²⁷“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.”
John 6:27 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your forgiveness and grace toward us. Thank you for Your Son Jesus, who bears your seal of divine approval. Help us to strive for the nourishing spiritual food that Jesus provides. Like the crocus flowers joyfully proclaim the arrival of spring, let our voices resound with joy, proclaiming our salvation through Jesus. Amen

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